Knokke Le Zoute Beach, Belgium. Photo source: ©© Zaldy Camerino
Excerpts;
Pour se protéger de la montée des eaux, la Belgique envisage de construire son premier îlot maritime, pour protéger la côte des tempêtes et de la montée des eaux. Pour cette étude de projet, la Flandre a dégagé 8 millions d’euros.
L’objectif, maintenir la station balnéaire Knokke-Heist en sécurité jusqu’en 2100, pour qu’elle continue à offrir des «conditions économiques attrayantes et de l’énergie renouvelable»…
Translation:
Amid rising seas, Belgium plans on building a first artificial island off its coast, in a step towards climate change mitigation. 8 millions euros have been provided in funding of the project study.
The object, originally initiated by a private investor – Vlaamse Baalen – aims to protect the famous and economically vital tourism area of Knokke-Heist, from the North Sea rising, at least until 2100.
The first step in the island construction is set for 2020, where sand will poured in 1.2km off Knokke-Heist beaches, to build a 40 hectares area, set to be increased up to 450 hectares.
The Belgian Tourism Minister, announced that this artificial island will becomes either a marine reserve, or a seaport.
This controversial project is met by criticisms, specifically from local authorities, allegedly not consulted on such a project.
Belgium reveals artificial island plan for wind energy; PhysOrg (01-20-2013)
Dutch Unveil Plan In War Against The Sea: A Sandbar, AFP / TerraDaily (12-20-2011)
In its age-old war to keep back the sea, low-lying Netherlands has dumped sand onto a surface larger than 200 football fields just off the coast, and will wait for nature to do the rest…
a class=”readmore” href=”http://www.sandandgravel.com/news/article.asp?v1=23203″> The Netherlands: Sand Motor conference to take place in September; Dredging News Online (08-09-2016)
Five years after the creation of the Sand Motor, the initial research results from this pilot project will be presented with respect to coastal safety, innovation, nature and recreation. It will be the central focus of a two-day international conference…
Sand, Rarer Than One Thinks: A UNEP report (GEA-March 2014)
Despite the colossal quantities of sand and gravel being used, our increasing dependence on them and the significant impact that their extraction has on the environment, this issue has been mostly ignored by policy makers and remains largely unknown by the general public.
In March 2014 The United Nations released its first Report about sand mining. “Sand Wars” film documentary by Denis Delestrac – first broadcasted on the european Arte Channel, May 28th, 2013, where it became the highest rated documentary for 2013 – expressly inspired the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to publish this 2014-Global Environmental Alert.
